Psalm 147

William Helder © 1972, 2006

1. Come, praise the LORD! It’s good and pleasant
   To praise His mercy ever-present.
   Sing to the LORD, our God and Savior,
   Who shows His steadfast love and favor.
   He builds Jerusalem’s foundations
   And re-unites His scattered nation.
   The brokenhearted He grants healing,
   Binds up their wounds, His love revealing.
   
2. He counts the stars and knows their number;
   Each one He will by name remember.
   Our Lord is great, in power excelling,
   His understanding past all telling.
   The LORD lifts up the poor and humble
   But causes wicked men to stumble.
   O come in thankfulness before Him;
   With harp and joyful song adore Him.
   
3. With clouds He covers all the heavens;
   Rain for the earth by Him is given.
   The LORD makes grass on hillsides flourish;
   The beasts and ravens He will nourish.
   In strength of steeds is not His pleasure,
   Nor is men’s fleetness what He treasures.
   But He delights in those who fear Him,
   Who for His constant love revere Him.
   
4. Jerusalem, now praise your Savior!
   O Zion, thank Him for His favor.
   Your gates He strengthens by His power;
   His gifts He on your children showers.
   Within your walls in peace He leads you
   And with the finest wheat He feeds you.
   To all the earth He issues orders
   That swiftly reach its farthest borders.
   
5. When He the wintry cold increases,
   He spreads the snow like woolly fleeces;
   Like ashes He the hoarfrost scatters,
   And hailstones on the earth He clatters.
   Before His cold the water freezes
   Till He the icy bonds releases:
   He sends His word, and winds start blowing;
   He melts the ice, and streams are flowing!
   
6. By Him Jerusalem is guided;
   The LORD His statutes has provided,
   His steadfast love to Jacob showing,
   His word on Israel bestowing.
   He dealt thus with no other nation;
   They do not know His revelation.
   Come, praise the LORD, your gladness voicing
   And in His steadfast love rejoicing.